A Congressional Briefing:
Gene Patents and Embryo Patents:
Policies and Impacts

Co-sponsored with
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE

Gene patents are currently subject to global scrutiny due to the host of legal, medical, scientific, and policy issues they raise. While no court has directly addressed whether human genetic material is patentable subject matter, challenges to human gene patents are mounting. International organizations, researchers, politicians, patient groups, and medical professional organizations are actively analyzing the advisability of such patents. The European Patent Office recently revoked a controversial patent covering the BRCA1 breast cancer mutation held by a U.S. corporation.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future (IBHF) have arranged a staff briefing (lunch provided) to update the policy community on these developments. This will be Wednesday, October 6, 2004 in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2203, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Critical to the assessment of the current gene patent policies in question are careful analysis and communications regarding their effect on health care regimes, medical research, and general society. This briefing will report on findings of funded studies by both the AAAS and IBHF, while also presenting potential actions for the future.

Speakers will include a scientist undertaking gene therapy; a representative from the AAAS; an ethicist speaking on concerns of patents on human embryos; and a legal authority on the impacts of gene patents on U.S. healthcare.

Please RSVP to rsvp@thehumanfuture.org.